Are Malaysians Good Holiday Guests? Airbnb’s Survey Has Receipts
Turns out, most Malaysians are good house guests. Phew.
- 85% of Malaysians consider being a respectful homestay guest highly important, driven by common sense, host respect, and personal values.
- Over 97% of Airbnb stays in Malaysia were completed without complaints, reflecting Malaysians' naturally considerate behaviour as guests.
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Do Malaysians still live up to the values behind “budi bahasa budaya kita” (courtesy and good manners are our culture) and “di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung” (when in Rome, do as the Romans do)? For those unfamiliar with these phrases: the first is a well-known Malaysian slogan holding that politeness, respect, and kindness form the bedrock of the nation’s social identity. The second calls for respecting local laws, traditions, and customs wherever one finds oneself.
According to YouGov’s latest survey, commissioned by Airbnb, most Malaysians are still holding true to both values wherever they go. In a survey of 1,000 Malaysians who had stayed in a homestay in Malaysia within the past year, 85% consider being a respectful homestay guest to be highly important. 9 in 10 describe themselves as good or excellent guests.
However, what sets Malaysian travellers apart isn’t just their attitude but their reasoning behind it. The top motivators for good behaviour are common sense (61%), respect for the host (60%), and personal values (59%).
The survey also showed that Malaysians see being a considerate guest as a natural extension of Malaysian values of respect and consideration for others. 82% shared they would genuinely feel bad if their behaviour disturbed a neighbour during a stay, while 4 in 5 feel a sense of responsibility towards the community around them.
Some things Malaysians (about 60% of them) do as considerate guests are:
- Keeping noise down after dark
- Parking without blocking others
- Following house rules
- Disposing rubbish properly
Two-thirds of those surveyed said they treat homestays like how they would treat their homes, sometimes even doing things beyond basic house rules. This includes washing all the dishes before checking out, taking out the rubbish, and tidying up the space. Some go a step further by leaving thank you notes, watering the plants, and tidying beyond anything they touched.
Perhaps what’s more impressive is that 77% say they regularly check the house rules before or at the start of a stay because they want to get it right.
Taking all of this into account, many Malaysians see short-term rentals and homestays as more than just one-off stays. Often, they treat it like an invitation to stay in someone else’s home and community.
The same care is extended to feasting on durians. They were mindful of the fruit’s strong smell in shared buildings. Instead of inconveniencing their host, 8 in 10 respondents said they would either ask the host first, eat the durian outside, or eat the fruits at the car park area, or avoid bringing it altogether.
Why Malaysians still choose short-term stays or homestays?
60% of those surveyed said they choose short-term rentals or homestays for better value for money. 46% liked having home-like amenities such as kitchens and laundry facilities, and 44% like staying as a group.
The survey also suggested that home-sharing has become a familiar part of many Malaysian neighbourhoods. 96% have no objections having short-term rentals or homestays in their neighbourhoods, while 71% said they’re comfortable having one next door. This sentiment showed there’s a growing familiarity with home-sharing across communities.
What does Airbnb’s internal data say about our travel habits?
From March 2025 to March 2026, over 97% of stays made in Malaysia on Airbnb were completed without any complaints or reported issues. Guest Favourite listings in Malaysia, homes recognised for consistently delivering outstanding guest experiences, saw a surge of 40% between March 2024 and March 2026.
What is Airbnb doing to maintain this good track record?
As part of Airbnb’s commitment to responsible travel, Airbnb launched the Good Guest Guide. The guide serves as a practical resource on how to enjoy Malaysia like a local while being a respectful guest and neighbour.
The guide covers Airbnb’s existing platform measures, such as:
- reservation screening technology
- a global disruptive party ban
- the Guide to Responsible Hosting in Buildings, which provides hosts, guests, and strata communities with a Code of Conduct, a Neighbourhood Support Line, and reference by-laws for short-term rental activity in Malaysian buildings.
The same guide will be available for hosts to feature in their listing starting from August 2026 and emailed to all first-time guests booking in Malaysia.
At Airbnb, the most meaningful travel experiences happen when guests feel connected not just to a place, but to the people and communities around them. That comes down to small acts of consideration and kindness — neighbourly traits that come naturally to many Malaysians. As more people choose home-sharing for group trips and shared experiences, we want to continue fostering a culture of respectful travel, helping domestic and inbound travellers understand local customs, community expectations, and what it means to be a thoughtful guest. Together, we can ensure the benefits of travel are felt not just by guests and hosts, but by the neighbourhoods that welcome them.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for Southeast Asia and India
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